A major global health concern, tuberculosis (TB) still affects millions of people each year. Many medications are used, either singly or in combination, to fight this infectious condition. In an effort to both remove the infection and stop it from spreading, these medications target various parts of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Some important anti-tuberculosis medications are as follows: The mainstay of treatment for tuberculosis is isoniazid (INH). It functions by preventing the production of mycolic acids, which are essential elements of the cell wall of mycobacteria. INH works well against germs that are actively growing and is frequently used in combination with other medications. Another crucial medication for the treatment of tuberculosis is rifampin (RIF). It goes after RNA polymerase, an enzyme required for bacterial RNA production. The bacteria perish as a result of this activity, which interferes with protein synthesis. Strong and effective in halting the emergence of drug resistance is rifampin. Pyrazinamide (PZA): PZA works especially well against "persisting," or dormant, germs that are not actively reproducing. Although its exact mode of action is unclear, it is believed to interfere with bacterial metabolism. PZA is particularly important for reducing the length of treatment as a whole. Ethambutol (EMB): EMB functions by preventing the production of arabinogalactan, a crucial part of the cell wall of mycobacteria. Ethambutol weakens the bacterial cell wall by interfering with this mechanism, which increases the bacterial susceptibility to the effects of other medications. An aminoglycoside antibiotic called streptomycin was among the first to be prescribed to treat tuberculosis. It blocks protein synthesis by attaching itself to the bacterial ribosome. Because of its possible side effects and resistance development, streptomycin is frequently saved for instances that are resistant to many drugs. Levofloxacin and doxifloxacin are two examples of fluoroquinolones, which are more recent medications used to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis strains. They prevent DNA gyrase from working, which is an enzyme that bacteria need to replicate DNA. When first-line medications fail to produce the desired results, fluoroquinolones become critical. It is significant to remember that, in order to prevent resistance, a combination of these medications is frequently used in the treatment of tuberculosis. A number of variables, including the patient's age, the extent of the illness, and local drug resistance patterns, influence the selection of medications and the length of treatment. In order to avoid relapse and the establishment of drug-resistant strains, it is imperative that patients comply to their treatment plans, which highlights the significance of patient education and support all along the way.
